AMERICUS — Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) economic impact on the region was $88.7 million in fiscal year 2016.
This data was published recently in an annual study conducted by the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. The study, commissioned by the University System of Georgia (USG), included economic data for all 28 System Schools and for the USG as a whole.
Georgia Southwestern’s economic impact grew by 10 percent from fiscal year 2015 to 2016, while the USG’s economic impact increased by 8 percent. The report stated that the increase at GSW and across the USG is attributed to “spending by the institution and spending by the students.”
“This report illustrates the important connection Georgia Southwestern has with the Southwest Georgia region, particularly Americus and Sumter County,” said GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D. “The amenities and services offered within the community provide our students, faculty and staff with an outlet to live, work and play. What’s more, this report from fiscal year 2016 is one year behind. Georgia Southwestern’s enrollment has grown by 14 percent over the last two years, which means our economic impact is only increasing.”
Most of GSW’s $88.7 million economic impact consists of personnel and operating expenses, budgeted expenditures and spending by students. The study found that GSW generated 1,056 full and part-time jobs.
To calculate the impact for fiscal year 2016, the Selig Center analyzed data collected between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016. The annual study is conducted on behalf of the USG Board of Regents by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Ph.D., director of the Selig Center.
The full study with data for all 29 USG institutions is available at: https://www.usg.edu/assets/usg/docs/USG_Impact_2016.pdf.